mx 2004 components questions

hi.
i was wondering if there's any other way to send variables from Flash to a backend script (PHP) without using Flash components, i mean, i need to design some form templates, i don't have many forms included, only 2 types, checkboxes and send buttons, i know i can use the flash components for this, but i think it's much easier to visually design the checkboxes and send buttons as normal flashgraphics, but i don't know if i can make them to send variables ... i tought that maybe there's a possibilty to this with action script .....

and another question is if i can make the text from CheckBox component NOT to look like is set to use device fonts, you know, like normal flash text, with antialiasing ...

also, how i can i set the cursor to be "hand" when over CheckBox for example, or over send button ....

thank you very much